Made in Queensland is a Queensland Government initiative supporting our manufacturing sector to become more internationally competitive and adopt innovative processes and technologies. The $40 million grants program is aimed at increasing jobs in Queensland manufacturing businesses and growing the state's economy.
Following the success and high level of interest in the Made in Queensland initiative, the Queensland Government is expanding and streamlining the application process with updated criteria and guidelines.
- What is made in Queensland? (
910 KB)
- Made in Queensland Round 2 Program Guidelines (
223 KB)
- Guide to completing an MIQ application - Expression of Interest (
129 KB)
- Funding agreement template (
586 KB). Please note: this funding agreement is an example and does not need to be completed at this stage. The department reserves the right to amend and update this template funding agreement from time to time, and may include additional or alternative funding terms and conditions for individual Recipients having regarding to the nature and scope of the Recipient's project.
Small to medium Queensland-based manufacturers are welcome to submit their expression of interest for the Made in Queensland program between 26 April 2018 and 24 May 2018.
To submit your expression of interest:
- Read all the important documents above.
- Register via the online form.
Contact us for further information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
What you need to know to apply for an MIQ grant
The program
What is the Made in Queensland Program?
The Made in Queensland (MIQ) Program complements the Queensland Government’s Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan.
In November 2017, the Queensland Government announced the doubling of funding for the MIQ Program, taking the allocation to a total of $40 million for the state-wide program, administered by the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning (the department).
The MIQ Program provides grant funding to support Queensland’s small to medium enterprises (SME) in the traditional manufacturing sector to become more internationally competitive and adopt innovative processes and technologies. The MIQ Program is aimed at supporting existing jobs and creating new jobs in Queensland manufacturing businesses and in the state’s supply chains, and growing Queensland’s economy.
What is advanced manufacturing?
Advanced manufacturing involves a holistic approach to the way a manufacturing business operates, with a high level of technology and expertise applied throughout every step of the value chain.
Advanced manufacturing is a family of activities that:
- depend on the use and coordination of information, automation, computation, software, sensing, and networking, and/or
- makes use of cutting edge materials and emerging capabilities enabled by the physical and biological sciences, for example nanotechnology, chemistry, and biology.
What projects will the program fund?
Funding is available for projects that align with the strategic direction of your business and the objectives of the MIQ program. Eligible projects fall into one of the following three project types:
- innovative non-equipment (processes and technologies) projects;
- leading edge, advanced manufacturing equipment projects;
- a combination of essential inter-related innovative non-equipment and leading edge, advanced manufacturing equipment projects.
Are projects that upgrade existing manufacturing equipment eligible for grants?
No. A leading edge advanced manufacturing equipment project does not involve the replacement, duplication or upgrades of existing tools or machinery. It also does not involve the purchase of equipment to bring a process in line with existing industry practice in Australia.
Advanced manufacturing projects are industry-leading when the product or technology is superior to or more advanced than rival products and technologies. Leading edge refers to the highest level of general development of a device, technique or specific field at a particular time. It also refers to the latest and most sophisticated or advanced stage of a technology.
Applicant eligibility
Who can apply?
Check the MIQ Round 2 Program Guidelines for all eligibility criteria. Briefly the applicant must be a manufacturing business in Queensland and:
- employ between 5 and 200 full time equivalent employees
- have a current ABN and be registered for the Goods and Services Tax
- conduct manufacturing activities defined under Division C of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC)
- have a clearly defined project that delivers leading-edge, advanced manufacturing equipment or innovative processes and technologies for manufacturing
- demonstrate the project delivers benefits to the business and Queensland’s economy
What does it mean to be Queensland-based?
Your manufacturing activities must be conducted in Queensland.
If the applying organisation is an existing Queensland Government grant recipient, is it still eligible to apply?
You are eligible to apply for the program if you have already received Queensland Government grant funding (including MIQ) for an unrelated project.
Applicant proposing to utilise other government grant funding as part of their co funding should be aware that this would not score highly against the assessment criteria.
Can two or more businesses submit a combined application for a grant?
Yes, however one business is required to identify as the lead applicant.
How to apply
What is the closing date and time for applications?
Applications for the Expression of Interest (EOI) stage close at 5.00pm on Thursday 24 May 2018. Late applications will not be accepted.
Can I ask to submit my application after the closing date and time?
Late applications will not be accepted.
What accompanying documents are required to apply for an Expression of Interest application?
You must include the following attachments in your EOI application:
- Project cost breakdown, to be submitted using the spreadsheet provided on the MIQ website.
- A Gantt chart or similar schedule showing the project key deliverables and timeframes.
- For applicants set up under a corporate trust, a current trust deed (and any variations) and corporate governance structure.
Where can I get help to complete my application?
You should read the Guide to Completing an MIQ Application – Expression of Interest which is available on the MIQ website.
You may also contact your local DSDMIP regional office or the Made In Queensland team on 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
How can I find out more information about MIQ?
Read the Program Guidelines for applicants.
You may also contact your local DSDMIP regional office or the Made In Queensland team on 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Application
How can I check the status of my application?
As this program is round based, all applications will be assessed together, the department is not able to provide status updates until decisions are finalised.
When will I be notified of my application outcome?
Shortlisted applicants are expected to be announced in July 2018. If your EOI is shortlisted, you will need to submit a detailed application in August 2018.
Successful applicants for MIQ funding will be advised of grant outcomes in late 2018 . The program timeframes are included in Program Guidelines.
Can I revise my application after lodgement?
No. However you must advise the department of any changes which are likely to impact on your eligibility.
Can I submit more than one application?
The department will only accept one application per business, or related entity (i.e. parent or sister-company), for MIQ Round 2.
I have previously received funding under the program, can I apply for a grant in Round 2?
Yes. If you have previously received an MIQ grant, you can apply for funding of a new project. The total value of all grants received by any one business, or related entity, must not exceed $2.5 million.
If your project is a follow up stage of a previously funded project, you must have fully acquitted your obligations of the previously funded project under the Funding Agreement.
Funding
What grant amount can I apply for?
Grants are available from $50,000 to $2.5 million in matched funding.
How will the grant be allocated to the business?
Successful applicants will be required to execute a Funding Agreement with the department that outlines the terms of the grant and the milestones to be achieved.
What is the program payment structure?
Approved applicants are able to claim 20% of grant funding up front. All subsequent claims for payment will be paid in arrears based on actual expenditure.
The department also has the option to retain an agreed percentage from all payments in some circumstances, with this retention released 12 months after completion of the project and additional evidence provided to the department.
How are the project milestones determined?
You will be required to provide your estimated project milestones and payment claim schedule as part of the Detailed Application stage. These will be negotiated and agreed between you and the department, prior to signing the Funding Agreement.
What evidence is required in order to receive funding?
The initial payment (20% of grant amount) will be paid (within 30 days) following receipt of a valid tax invoice.
Milestone payments will be paid within 30 days of the department receiving and verifying:
- A milestone report
- A valid tax invoice
- Evidence of payments made
Are grant payments subject to GST?
Yes. All applicants must be registered for GST and while the grant amount excludes GST, the grant payments will have GST added to payments.
Are in-kind costs eligible for matched funding?
No. In-kind costs and non-cash contributions are not considered eligible for matched funding requirements.
Who can I source matched funding from?
You can source contributions internally or through credit. However, chattel mortgage, lease to purchase, equipment funding or other arrangements where a financial institution holds security over the equipment are NOT eligible. You will be required to provide evidence of any credit funding in the Detailed Application stage.
Applicant proposing to utilise other government grant funding as part of their co funding should be aware that this would not score highly against the assessment criteria.
The Project
Can I apply for funding support for an activity that has already commenced prior to this application?
No. Only activities which commence after the agreed project commencement date can be included in the project budget.
Can I commence the project at any time?
No. Your project must not commence, and no expenditure (including deposits or similar) can be paid before the grant is approved and a Funding Agreement is signed.
Progress reporting
How often will progress reports be required?
Your progress reports are included in your milestone reports. The schedule of these will be agreed with you as part of the Funding Agreement negotiations.
What information will be required for progress reports?
A template of the progress claim report, and other applicant reports, is included in the template for the Funding Agreement on the MIQ website.
Terms and conditions of the grant
Are the terms and conditions negotiable?
No, the applicant will be bound by the terms and conditions, which form part of the application and Program Guidelines.
Please ensure you have read and accept the terms and conditions prior to submitting an application for funding, as they will not be negotiable at the time a funding offer is made.
If I am successful, am I under an obligation to acknowledge the Queensland Government’s support?
Yes. You will initially be asked to keep the details of your grant confidential until it is announced officially by the Queensland Government.
Applicants should note that broad details of successful proposals, agreed outcomes, progress and the level of funding awarded may be published by the Queensland Government. Some information may be used to promote funded projects and applicants may be requested to contribute to case studies and/or other promotional material.